Article reports that four people linked to a pro-Russia group in France have been arrested on suspicion of intelligence gathering for a foreign power, in a French investigation into alleged Russian destabilization operations. The case centers on SOS Donbass, a group that organized a poster campaign in Paris with the slogan "Russia is not my enemy" and imagery praising Russian soldiers. French prosecutors and intelligence services suspect the group’s leaders of engaging in espionage-related activities and influence operations on behalf of Russian interests, targeting France amid Russia’s wider hybrid war against Europe.

According to the report, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrests, including the group’s founder, Anna Novikova, a 46‑year‑old French-Russian national who was born in Russia and has been living in Paris. Novikova was arrested in Paris last week and is under investigation for suspected intelligence gathering for a foreign power. French authorities say she has been observed approaching executives from various French companies, allegedly to obtain information purportedly linked to French economic interests.

Another leading figure, Vincent Perfetti, identified as the group’s president and a 45‑year‑old Russian national, is also facing charges. He was arrested in Paris and is suspected of having fixed pro-Russia posters across the Arc de Triomphe area of Paris in September. These posters reportedly showed a Russian soldier and carried the slogan "Russia is not my enemy" in French, presenting Russian forces as protectors and victors. Perfetti’s lawyer, David Dombkowski, described the case as an "espionage case" over "a series of poster stickers" and called the accusations "absurd" and a "worrying shift toward the criminalization of pro-Russian opinions." In a message to The Associated Press, he said the charges were politically motivated.

The article notes that Novikova founded SOS Donbass in 2022 after visiting the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. SOS Donbass describes itself as a humanitarian nongovernmental organization that collects and distributes aid to Donbas residents allegedly bombarded by Ukrainian forces using NATO weapons, and states its goal is to "build a bridge of peace between Europe and Russia." The group’s website reportedly featured photos of Novikova shaking hands with a Russian soldier, with captions stating "Russia is not my enemy." French authorities view the group’s activities as part of a broader Russian "hybrid war" that includes influence operations within Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron previously warned about Russian destabilization efforts targeting France, especially linked to the war in Ukraine, and has accused Russia of waging a hybrid war across Europe. The article ties the French investigation into this broader pattern, citing French government, intelligence and military officials who say Russia is increasingly targeting France with cyberattacks, disinformation, and other destabilization tactics. Mapping by AP of the disruption campaign has recorded dozens of incidents across Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

French prosecutors say a total of four individuals were taken into custody in connection with the case. In addition to Novikova and Perfetti, two other men were detained after identification as Vyacheslav P. and Bernard F. The Paris prosecutor’s office said Vyacheslav P. is a 40‑year‑old Russian who is alleged to have helped fix pro-Russia posters in September; posters he is linked to reportedly showed a Russian soldier and bore slogans thanking him for "the victorious" battles. Bernard F., a 58‑year‑old French national who lived in an area west of Paris, is suspected of having financed the poster campaign and maintained regular contacts with Novikova; his home was searched by investigators.

The four suspects face preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy and property damage to serve a foreign power, with potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and large fines if convicted. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that the pair face preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy "to commit acts likely to be attributed to a foreign power and that could damage the fundamental interests of the nation," and of "intelligence with foreign power"—crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines. The prosecutor’s office did not name the foreign power in its formal statement, but the article notes that the wider context and accusations from officials point to Russia.

The report includes multiple contextual references: Macron has warned that Russia’s "hybrid war" against Europe includes attempts to destabilize societies through propaganda, cyber operations, and covert influence; French officials have spoken about increased targeting of France by Russian operations since the Ukraine war; AP mapping has tracked dozens of such incidents across Europe; and French authorities see this case as part of that pattern of destabilization rather than an isolated criminal act.

The article is illustrated with a photograph showing the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral and cultural center near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The caption notes that this image was taken on March 24, 2017, in Paris, France. The page sidebar lists related articles about espionage and Russia-linked plots in Europe, including reports on Bulgaria and Moldova, but does not add further verifiable facts about the French case beyond those summarized above.

Throughout, the article stresses that the suspects deny wrongdoing and present SOS Donbass as a legitimate humanitarian and advocacy group. Their lawyers criticize the investigation as an overreach targeting pro-Russian speech. Nonetheless, French authorities characterize the case as part of an intelligence operation and destabilization effort tied to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine and strategic competition with France and Europe.

Article reports that four people linked to a pro-Russia group in France have been arrested on suspicion of intelligence gathering for a foreign power, in a French investigation into alleged Russian destabilization operations. The case centers on SOS Donbass, a group that organized a poster campaign in Paris with the slogan "Russia is not my enemy" and imagery praising Russian soldiers. French prosecutors and intelligence services suspect the group’s leaders of engaging in espionage-related activities and influence operations on behalf of Russian interests, targeting France amid Russia’s wider hybrid war against Europe.

According to the report, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrests, including the group’s founder, Anna Novikova, a 46‑year‑old French-Russian national who was born in Russia and has been living in Paris. Novikova was arrested in Paris last week and is under investigation for suspected intelligence gathering for a foreign power. French authorities say she has been observed approaching executives from various French companies, allegedly to obtain information purportedly linked to French economic interests.

Another leading figure, Vincent Perfetti, identified as the group’s president and a 45‑year‑old Russian national, is also facing charges. He was arrested in Paris and is suspected of having fixed pro-Russia posters across the Arc de Triomphe area of Paris in September. These posters reportedly showed a Russian soldier and carried the slogan "Russia is not my enemy" in French, presenting Russian forces as protectors and victors. Perfetti’s lawyer, David Dombkowski, described the case as an "espionage case" over "a series of poster stickers" and called the accusations "absurd" and a "worrying shift toward the criminalization of pro-Russian opinions." In a message to The Associated Press, he said the charges were politically motivated.

The article notes that Novikova founded SOS Donbass in 2022 after visiting the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. SOS Donbass describes itself as a humanitarian nongovernmental organization that collects and distributes aid to Donbas residents allegedly bombarded by Ukrainian forces using NATO weapons, and states its goal is to "build a bridge of peace between Europe and Russia." The group’s website reportedly featured photos of Novikova shaking hands with a Russian soldier, with captions stating "Russia is not my enemy." French authorities view the group’s activities as part of a broader Russian "hybrid war" that includes influence operations within Europe.

French President Emmanuel Macron previously warned about Russian destabilization efforts targeting France, especially linked to the war in Ukraine, and has accused Russia of waging a hybrid war across Europe. The article ties the French investigation into this broader pattern, citing French government, intelligence and military officials who say Russia is increasingly targeting France with cyberattacks, disinformation, and other destabilization tactics. Mapping by AP of the disruption campaign has recorded dozens of incidents across Europe since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

French prosecutors say a total of four individuals were taken into custody in connection with the case. In addition to Novikova and Perfetti, two other men were detained after identification as Vyacheslav P. and Bernard F. The Paris prosecutor’s office said Vyacheslav P. is a 40‑year‑old Russian who is alleged to have helped fix pro-Russia posters in September; posters he is linked to reportedly showed a Russian soldier and bore slogans thanking him for "the victorious" battles. Bernard F., a 58‑year‑old French national who lived in an area west of Paris, is suspected of having financed the poster campaign and maintained regular contacts with Novikova; his home was searched by investigators.

The four suspects face preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy and property damage to serve a foreign power, with potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and large fines if convicted. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that the pair face preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy "to commit acts likely to be attributed to a foreign power and that could damage the fundamental interests of the nation," and of "intelligence with foreign power"—crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines. The prosecutor’s office did not name the foreign power in its formal statement, but the article notes that the wider context and accusations from officials point to Russia.

The report includes multiple contextual references: Macron has warned that Russia’s "hybrid war" against Europe includes attempts to destabilize societies through propaganda, cyber operations, and covert influence; French officials have spoken about increased targeting of France by Russian operations since the Ukraine war; AP mapping has tracked dozens of such incidents across Europe; and French authorities see this case as part of that pattern of destabilization rather than an isolated criminal act.

The article is illustrated with a photograph showing the Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral and cultural center near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The caption notes that this image was taken on March 24, 2017, in Paris, France. The page sidebar lists related articles about espionage and Russia-linked plots in Europe, including reports on Bulgaria and Moldova, but does not add further verifiable facts about the French case beyond those summarized above.

Throughout, the article stresses that the suspects deny wrongdoing and present SOS Donbass as a legitimate humanitarian and advocacy group. Their lawyers criticize the investigation as an overreach targeting pro-Russian speech. Nonetheless, French authorities characterize the case as part of an intelligence operation and destabilization effort tied to Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine and strategic competition with France and Europe.